Worthy Products: Jojoba Oil

May 16, 2013

Okay, I know I said that I love castor oil. And, it is true. I really really do love castor oil. But, on my list of oils, jojoba oil has got to be right up there in the top 5. Another natural hair care and body product that I can’t live without, it imparts moisture while softening hair and skin.

Jojoba oil comes from the seeds of the jojoba plant. It is one of very few natural oils with molecules small enough to enter the hair shaft. But, its waxy texture is so similar to the hair’s natural sebum, it helps to provide a thin film on the hair to keep the hair shaft moisturized. It is a natural emollient (hair moisturizer). This capability allows jojoba to moisturize the hair from the inside out rather than sitting on top of the hair as most primarily sealing oils do.

I only purchase organic jojoba oil to ensure that I have a product that has retained its natural vitamins and essential components like vitamins A and E. It is also full of antioxidants which help to detoxify the scalp, regulate natural sebum production, and treat bacterial build-up.

Jojoba Oil for Hair and Body

One of my favorite uses for jojoba oil is in its most natural form, rather than in a shampoo or conditioner. And while some folks like to use it a la carte, I prefer to mix up a batch of oil using the other oils in my repertoire. Jojoba is a great candidate for mixing because of its unique antioxidant and moisturizing characteristics. I mix different oils for different purposes, but here is a recipe that I keep on my counter at all times.

Jojoba Oil for Hair Growth/Scalp Massage

(This yields 1 cup or 8 ounces of mixed oil)

3/8 cup or 3 ounces Jojoba oil

½ cup or 4 ounces Castor oil

1/8 cup or 1 ounces EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

Optional: 2-4 drops of lavender essential oil

I tend to use this recipe without the lavender oil. But, the lavender helps for other specific needs. Lavender oil is a scalp stimulant. It has also been used to treat skin irritations.

The combination of castor and jojoba oil in this recipe yields a potent but light oil with many uses. I use this as a hot oil treatment and pre-poo. I also use this oil on my hair and scalp to seal after washing.This oil does not have to be used in a heavy-handed way because the castor oil is heavy and thick. In addition, this oil should be used sparingly as it does not take very much of it to have the desired effect.

Comparatively, this oil mixture can also be used for skin. Dabbing it on irritated or dry skin, clogged pores, minor abrasions, or worn skin can help to accelerate the healing process. My husband has used this mixture on razor bumps as well. Truthfully, these natural oils have limitless possibilities for a fraction of the price of chemically-based products sold in store.

Why does this oil work?

Castor oil is great for hair growth (as I explained in my last “Worthy Products” article). But, applying to the hair and scalp solo can be cumbersome and laborious. Additionally, it can cause itching since it detoxifies the scalp and is very potent in its cold-pressed form. So, mixing it with other moisturizing oils like jojoba and olive oil, helps to reduce some of the intensity of the castor oil. Jojoba oil is great for mixing with other essential or heavy oils because it is light and moisturizing. It also has a fragrant smell which can cut the nutty smells of other natural oils.

I began looking for natural hair growth methods last year when I stopped wearing weaves. My edges were completely thinned and the nape of my neck was broken and damaged. I wanted to avoid chemicals, sulfates, silicones, lanolin-based products, and anything else that seemed to counteract my natural endeavors. This led me to research hair oils on natural hair care forums. And, after many tries, this recipe suited my dry, brittle hair the best. In less than a year, I have grown previously bald areas of my hair 4-6 inches on average. And, after battling with terrible scalp irritation through two previous pregnancies, I have not had any recurring issues with scalp irritation, even now being pregnant with my third child.

I would recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a natural solution to hair loss, mild scalp irritation, or a method to keep their hair moisturized through the seasons.

[…] I hope you are keeping track of my favorite hair oils. I have already covered castor oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil. Extra virgin olive oil is among my faves for all of my hair and skin needs. You […]

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About The Worth Campaign, Inc:

The Worth Campaign, Inc. is a nonprofit organization empowering young Black women and girls in all aspects of their personal, professional, and social lives by encouraging them to be unapologetically authentic and true to themselves.
This organization seeks to encourage civic and socio-political participation by young Black women and girls so that they may ‘pay it forward’ to the next generation.
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